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In the flags scene, you could say Ralph Spence is near the top of the pole in Canada.

Right Rev. Spence, the retired Anglican bishop of the Diocese of Niagara, has had a lifetime of appreciation for them.

Not only does the former Thorold resident have 3,000 flags in his collection, he’s a “herald extraordinary” for the Canadian Heraldic Authority.

That body is responsible for the creation of new coats of arms, flags and badges for Canadian citizens and corporate bodies.

“I think flags are incredibly part of our culture,” said Spence, 71, who now lives in Hamilton.

“There was a point where you’d never see a flag on a Canadian’s house, except occasionally. But it’s not uncommon now.

“People are really flag-conscious today,” he said, adding it’s not because of mass-televised events like the Olympics, but because flags have evolved to become part of a culture’s visual language.

Spence — who also designed the City of St. Catharines flag — said they speak to pride in a nation and community and its core qualities.

“Niagara has a lot of really interesting flags that depict parts of their history,” he added.

“And we’re presently working on a new flag for Niagara-on-the-Lake.”

Few places in the region are more flag-positive than outside St. Catharines city hall, which can hold a flag raising as much as once a week.

St. Catharines Mayor Brian McMullan said these events from various groups, religions and countries acknowledge the diverse elements in an place.

“It’s their flag, it’s significant to them and, therefore, our broader community,” McMullan said. “And it’s flying at city hall along with a Canadian, St. Catharines and provincial flag.

“It is recognition … their cause or community is important to them and the city.”

Among those is a Greek flag-raising at city hall Saturday to celebrate that country’s independence in 1821 from the Ottoman Empire.

Constance Droganes of The Greek Community of Niagara said this has been a meaningful tradition in the city for 37 years.

“I think for the immigrants that first came ... it meant a lot to them to have this honour shown to them by the City of St. Catharines,” she said. “It says you’re welcome here, this is your home now.

“The city honours Greece’s history and its ethnic community by doing this.”

The Canadian Heraldic Authority

The authority’s major activities include: granting of new armorial bearings (arms, flags and badges) and native symbols; registration of recognized existing arms, flags and badges; approval of military badges, flags and other insignia of the Canadian Forces; registration of genealogical information related to the inheritance of arms …

— excerpted from The Governor General of Canada’s Canadian Heraldic Authority website